Gift Ideas that are Fit For Business owners

Good morning -
I would like to help all of my contacts find and give gifts that are a good 'Fit For Business' owners. Send me your ideas (info@fitforbusiness.ca) and I will post them in this blog and share them with my contacts.

Fit For Business (Cheryl Rankin) - a banner sign for your business (647-287-0320, http://www.fitforbusiness.ca/)

Stitchsations (Shaheda Bhabha) - towels with your logo, order 1 upto 100 (call 905-454-1107, http://www.stitchsations.com/)

Dana Sewell Websites (Dana Sewell) - Give yourself a website to boost your business to the next level (call 647-349-9490, http://www.danasewell.ca/ )

StemsFlorals (Debbie Visser) - Centrepieces and hostess gifts starting at $20 (call 905-450-5512, http://www.flowersgta.ca/ )

Barry Shainbaum - Give a gift of hope this Christmas: Hope & Heroes, a coffee-table book, features 47 heroes of our planet, in photographs and biographies. $20.00 (call 416-362-8028 http://www.barryshainbaum.com/ )

Wheels Of Fitness (Gwen Rose) - Ball Chair (desk chair that is great for your back!) Regularly $159.95 but on special for $139.95 and free shipping in GTA (call 416-391-4646, http://www.wheels-of-fitness.com/)

Equilibrium Lifestyle Management (Leah Epstein) - Personal Training Gift Certificates (call 416-841-2196, http://www.elifestyle.ca/ )

TraciLee's Handmade Soal (Patricia Anne Birrell) - Traci-Lee's Handmade Soap is the home of "Girl Friendly" (SLS FREE) Bubble Bath and Old Fashion natural cold process soap. (call 905-702-2523, http://www.thekissbuyinggroup.com/ )

Mariposa Concierge & Errand Services (Tania Rose) - Buy yourself or someone else some extra time (call 416-841-9721 http://www.mariposaconcierge.com/ )

Independent Party Life Consultant (Karen Dinsmore) - Candles and centrepieces make great gifts (619-746-5519, www.partylite.biz/createwarmth )

Step Into The Spotlight (Tsufit) - Book - Step Into The Spotlight - A Guide To Getting Noticed (http://www.stepintothespotlight.com/)

Mango Tango Make-Up Design (Nicki Traikos) - custom gift certificates for makeup applications or make-up (call 416-561-9515, http://www.mangotango.ca/)

Victoria DeBrun from Centum One Financial has suggested http://www.youthfulbeautifulskin.com/ .

A & M Designs (Monica Blackburn) - Web-site gift certificates (call 905-502-8649, http://www.amdesigns.ca/ )

eMarketing Coach (Boris Mahovac) - Learn the basics of blogging for business (call 905-844-4247 , http://www.hottoblogforbiz.com/ )

Dradalm Promotions (Deb Taman) - Corporate Clothing (call 905-856-9323)

ACN (Rey Manipula) - Video Phone - IRIS 3000 for $99.00 - See the person you’re talking to with Revolutionary Video Phone (call 647-668-3077, http://www.rpmtelecom499.acnrep.com/)

Havoc To Harmony (Karen Sencich) - Laminated Information Guides that can be imprinted with your marketing and/or fund-rasing message. A great employee or client recognition gift (call 905-452-7008, http://www.havoctoharmony.com/ )

Clarity Assistants (Lyen Mortensen) - Give the gift of time! Purchase a set of 4 hours of time for someone else to do your bookkeeping, office administration or errands (call 647-205-9864 http://www.clarityassistants.com/ )

Rima Maamari suggested this idea - Gluten-free gift basket / wheat free recipe book (http://www.ecochefs.com/)

Passionate Web Creations (Alison Silbert) - Book - Winning Web-sites including a complimentary 30 minute coaching session (call 905-826-5714, alison@passiionateweb.ca )

Sharon Katz - Painting kits for kids or actual paintings for you (http://www.sharronsartat.blogspot.com/ )

Power Manners (Shannon Smith) - Book - Power Manners - How to use your personal skills for business and social success (call 416-324-8955 http://www.powermanners.com/ )

Stacey Grieve - Book - "Why Are You Weighting? It's Not The Food That's Making You Fat!" and discover a whole new way and a whole new you. (call 416-463-7070 http://www.whyareyouweighting.com/ )

Gift Baskets On The Shelf (Barb Wilson) - Red Poinsetta Gift Basket (call 905-785-1951 giftbasketsontheshelf@sympatico.ca)

eWomen Network (Darla Campbell) - 2010 Fundraiser Calendar "Dreams For Women" featuring world-class female athletes competing in Vancouver Olympics - $20 (call 416-562-9082, darla@amonavi.com )

Homewell Cares Mississauga (Donna Woods) - Moving Made Easy Packages - Get $20 off the moving package for seniors (call 905-848-2273)

Marilyn Garshowitz - her book - The Brutal Truth: A personal exposé of the corrupt and abusive Canadian Government and its legal system. A feisty non-fiction book dealing with bullying and misuse of power. $30 (http://www.thebrutaltruth.ca/ or Marilyn@thebrutaltruth.ca)

Kids Lane (Josephine Makoha) - safe and educational toys for babies and toddlers (Winston Churchill & Eglington, Mississauga; http://www.kidslane.ca/ )

Supper Encounters (Patricia Bianco) - Gift Certificate for meal shopping and preparation for similar cost to doing your own groceries. Go home with meals not groceries & save time! ( http://www.supperencounters.ca/ )

World Vision (Terea Suppa) - donate to World Vision charity for a great gift idea (http://www.worldvision.ca/ )

Your Marketing Magnet (Janette Burke) - Gift Certificates for marketing / PR coaching & consulting services, starting at $150 plus taxes (call 905-882-6893 ext 1, http://www.yourmarketingmagnet.com/ )

Janett Burke suggested movie passes, popcorn and movie memorabilia

Balogh and Partners (Gabor Balogh) - Gift Card Program - they shop for a gift ofthe correct value without ever knowing the card amount (call 647-340-5112, http://www.gbalogh.ordermygift.com/ )

Lyen Mortensen suggested Jewelry from Gypsy Jewelry, specializing in unique silver, costume and designer jewelry (Sherway Gardens Mall and Oakville Mall kiosks)

ELP Designs (Evan Pleet) Colour consultation

New Empowering Ways (Christina Demeester) - Goal setting session to create the life you really want and build the career you truly deserve (call 416-924-6087, http://www.newempoweringways.com/ )

Veronica O'Connor has a cookbook - Give the art of cooking "Veronica's Caribbean Dishes" cook book (call 905-799-2939, http://www.authorhouse.com/ )

Jennifer Neal suggested a Gift Card for all occasions. Most major brands are available (http://www.jneal.ordermygift.com/ )

Jashamy Inc - 50% off all our office chair products until Dec 31, 2009 (call 416-670-0778, http://www.jashamy.com/ )

AVON (Aniko Biro) - make-up products by AVON (call 416-451-3210, avon4sale@rogers.com)

Ajax Chiropractic & Wellness (Sandra Fattibene, RMT) - Massage Gift Certificates - give the gift of health! (http://www.ajaxwelleness.com/ )

Expedia Cruise Ship Centers, Brampton (Elisabeth Anniehs) - gift certificates towards a cruise (eanniehs@cruiseshipcenters.com)

ELP Designs and Space Planning (Evan Pleet) - Interior Design/Decorating and colour consultation gift certificates or first meeting discount (call 416-565-7801, http://www.elpdesigns.com/ info@elpdesigns.com )

Jim Pagiamtzis suggested a Gift Card for any occasion (call 1-866-407-7601, www.jpagiamtzis.ordermygift.com/default.aspx )

Peter McCusker (Peter McCusker Photography) A full family portrait to create a milestone of a family record for the future. Done digitally and you receive all the images on the DVD to print a you desire and keep secure for the future. (call 905-580-0658, www.weddingpicturestoronto.ca)


Tracy Matthewman (Isagenix) - Give the gift of health - Isagenix Nutritional Cleansing - Lose weight, boost health. (call 416-602-9897, http://www.whyisagenix.com)


If you need help pulling together your ideas, call me Cheryl Rankin, Fit For Business, 647-287-0320, info@fitforbusiness.ca, http://www.fitforbusiness.ca/

Holiday Parties

Holiday Parties -

No matter what Holiday Party you are invited to, you need to be ready to network. "What do you do?" is your chance but an unprepared person will waste the chance.
- keep it short
- do not offer your business card until you are asked for it
- try to peak their interest
-best if you tell a story about a successful client

Business Connection Exchange is hosting a Holiday Party for business owners on Dec. 2nd. It is open to members and guests. Everyone is welcome! For details check - www.business-connection-exchange.ca ...earlybird prices have been extended.

If you need help finding events that sut your business, call me.

Cheryl Rankin
Fit For Business
647-287-0320
info@fitforbusiness.ca
www.fitforbusiness.ca

December Marketing

How on earth do you get your potential client's attention during December?

1. Review the details to describe your perfect client.
2. Sale - sales definitely get attention.
3. Benefits - be very obvious in telling everyone the benefits of being a client in December.
4. Can you team up with a company that is getting lots of attention in December and market together? (Alliance Marketing)
5. Do something good and include it in your marketing -- for every sale you will donate to a charity.
6. Donate door prizes for corporate and charty events and get publicity that will help you in the future.
7. Package your products and services in a new way to attract attention to your business.
8. Rename your services to match the season.
9. How can you use the internet to get the word out for free? (gorilla marketing)

If you have a tough time creating a last minute plan for December, call Cheryl Rankin, Fit For Business at 647-287-0320 and get a few tips for free.

Cheryl Rankin
Fit For Business
647-287-0320
info@fitforbusiness.ca
www.fitforbusiness.ca
twitter:fitforbusiness

Links

Incoming links

To check how many incomng links you have -
go to google search - type links: leave a space and then type "www.yourweb-site name and the quotes on the other side.
links: "www.fitforbusiness.ca"

Paul Tobey mentioned this neat search during a presentation in Oakville.

If you are not sure how to get more incoming links - call us at 647-287-0320.

Cheryl Rankin
Fit For Business
http://www.fitforbusiness.ca/

Plan

What are the top three (3) things you need to get done today?
Set yourself up for success:
- write them down
- tell someone else what you need to get done
- confirm you have everything you need
- can you schedule your day to help the plan?
- start one of the things right now (even 10 minutes!)
- can you delegate to someone else to guarantee that it gets done?
- what are the consequences if you do not get the 3 things done?
- do you need a reward to motivate you to stay on track?
- be very specific what you need to get done today (just making a grocery list does not get food in your fridge)

Have a great business day!

Sign up for the Fit For Business newsletter and get lots of tips.

Cheryl Rankin
Fit For Business
647-287-0320
info@fitforbusiness.ca
twitter (fitforbusiness)

Recession Marketing

Is the recession slowing down your business?

Be sure to adjust your marketing to suit the times and the changing needs of your clients.

- consider adjusting your target market
- can you package your product /service in a new way? Personal Training for golfers is still personal training but it is packaged differently
- can people pay in a new way? Buy 3 sessions and save.
- partner up with another business owner to get the word out
- try new communication methods (linkedin, blogs, newsletters, twitter,etc)
- can you sell something new to the same clients?

To get a marketing action plan for the recession - call Cheryl today at 647-287-0320.

Cheryl Rankin
Fit For Business
www.fitforbusiness.ca
twitter (FitForBusiness)
info@fitforbusiness.ca
647-287-0320

Stand Out - Get More Sales

What are you doing to make your business stand out in comparison to your competition?

During a recent vacation to Montana, I noticed a few businesses trying hard to stand out:
- 70% off sale at Herberger's department store
- a huge Eagle statue at the entrance to a camp ground near Glacier National Park
- a real estate agent's office is in an Art Gallery / Gift Store
- a Toy Store rents strollers for the day to travellers
- a brewery called The Great Northern Brewery Company opened a restaurant bar and recently started doing tours....because of the tours we stopped to buy lunch and a beer sampler package for two and then souvenirs
- some stores in the tourist towns have public washrooms. When washrooms are hard to find it guarantees your store visitors

Now what about your business - what can you do to stand out in the crowd?
Stand out in a crowd and get more attention and get possible clients to check out your business and in the long run get sales. Boost your sales by using your marketing to stand out.

Cheryl Rankin
Fit For Business
647-287-0320
info@fitforbusiness.ca
* now on twitter (FitForBusiness)